The national language and the most common used language in Beijing is mandarin language which commonly named as Putonghua or Hanyu. The mandarin language spoken in Beijing is a standard form of modern Chinese language throughout China. It is named as Hanyu as this language is the common language for people of Han race.
Mandarin language is basically shaped based on Beijing dialects. English however is a compulsory course in education throughout China. So, majority of the youth and students can communicate in simple English. Most of the well-known restaurants, airports, banks and post offices will have English literate staffs to serve you. Moreover, there will be staffs who master in other foreign languages such as French, German, Japanese and Italian especially in 5-star hotels or western cuisine restaurants.

The Chinese currency is named as Renminbi (RMB) which the monetary unit is called as Yuan. Paper notes are available for 1 Jiao (10 cents), 5 Jiao (50 cents), 1 Yuan (1 CNY), 5 Yuan (5 CNY), 10 Yuan (10 CNY), 20 Yuan (20 CNY), 50 Yuan (50 CNY) and 100 Yuan (100 CNY). Besides that, there are coins for 1 Fen (1 Cent), 2 Fen (2 Cents), 5 Fen (5 Cents), 1 Jiao (10 cents), 2 Jiao (20 Cents), 5 Jiao (50 Cents) and 1 Yuan (1 CNY). Sometimes, Yuan is referred to as Kuai too.

Renminbi is the only acceptable currency throughout China except Hong Kong and Taiwan. So, it is advisable to exchange at least a small amount of money before starting your journey to Beijing. Anyway, exchange Renminbi is very easy in Beijing as all the banks provide the service of money exchange. Moreover, most of the four-star and five-star hotels here offer exchange service too at some service charges basis. Passport is required for exchange money at banking outlets.

Before entering China, there is a short customs form that required all travelers to complete. There are two channels in China Customs, the Green Lane and the Red Lane. Green Lane is for the travelers with nothing to declare whereas the Red Lane is for the personnel who have brought in items or exceed the amount of limitations.
According to the China Customs, the following criteria need to be declared before entering China. First of all, foreign currency greater than 5000 US Dollars or equivalent, or 20,000 CNY is permitted when entering China. However, if exceeding this amount, declaration at customs is required. Besides that, any items which value exceeds 2,000 CNY that will be left in China need to be declared too. Registration need to be done for bringing in over 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars as well as 1.5 liters of alcoholic beverages with alcohol measure above 12 degrees. Moreover, live animals, fresh produce, animal products, microorganism, biological products as well as printed matters deemed seditious or pornographic are prohibited too. Be careful that there is no material which criticizes the Chinese government along with you in order to ensure a pleasant trip in Beijing.
When finishing your journey and prepare to exit from Beijing, please ensure that you obey the following customs restrictions. First of all, bringing out foreign currency above 5,000 US Dollars or equivalent, or 20,000 CNY from China, need to be declared upon departure. Besides that, Chinese antiques over 150 years old and deemed valuable to the country is not allowed to export.

The long development history of China has resulted in a complex and formal etiquette throughout the centuries. Due to the distinctive culture matter and living societies, there must be some differences between Beijing and Western regions. Perhaps, most of the etiquettes and ceremonies are unfamiliar to the Westerners. Thus, discovering more about the conventions will help you to gain more knowledge about Chinese culture while earn you respect of the Chinese.
The way of greetings could be different at each single piece of land. In Beijing, a handshake, a smile or a simple salutation is a common style of greetings here. Handshaking, as a silent language is widely used throughout China. It is the most common used expression for courtesy and greeting when people meet or say goodbye. Besides that, the Beijing locals tend to use this as a way to express thanks, encouragement as well as congratulations to others too.
Please avoid hugs and kisses when you first meet with someone in Beijing as these are not their familiar ways of greetings and might cause the locals to have a bad impression on you. According to the local culture, elderly should gain more respect from younger generations. So, formal greetings must begin from the oldest person during that occasion. Besides that, you might find that many Chinese will be facing ground when greeting someone as this is the way to show their respects to the person in front. The locals have a terrific sense of humor. As long as having closer relationship with the other person, they can laugh at themselves readily. You are welcome to join in the laugh if a proper circumstance is given.
Table manner is very important especially when you are dining with Beijing locals. Most of the Chinese prefer to feast in restaurants rather than in their homes. Beijing Roast Duck Restaurants are among the most common choice for entertaining foreigners. A round table is widely used in Chinese restaurants. Guests should be seated after the invitation of the host and the guest of honor is always seated on the right hand side of the host. The host will normally start to eat first and follow by the rest. In order to show your appreciation to the host, you are advised to try all dishes that are offered to you.
A cup, a bowl on a small dish, together with chopsticks and a spoon are compulsory for each person on a typical Chinese dining table. Everyone around the table will share the dishes which are presented in the center of the table. All dishes except soup should be eaten with chopsticks. The Chinese are very particular about the use of chopsticks. Returning chopsticks to the chopsticks rest after every few bites and when you drink or stop to speak is a very good practice. Do not play with chopsticks during a meal especially not to stick chopsticks in the center of rice and avoid pointing someone with them. The acceptable method of eating rice is to hold the rice bowl close to your mouth and quickly scoop the rice into it with chopsticks. Besides that, holding the bowl in hand and simply lift a portion of rice into mouth is also a common method of eating rice.
A toast to the others is a common practice while dining in Beijing. The host will offer the first toast after all guests is seated and all cups are filled. In response to the toasts from other diners, you should immediately stop eating to show your respects to the toasters while accepting the toasts. However, if you are toasted but do not wish to drink, a simply touch to your lips without drinking is enough to show your respect to the toaster.

A valid passport with a tourist visa (L Visa) is required for all visitors to Beijing under traveling purpose. Usually, a Single Entry or Double Entry L visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. This means that the visa holder should enter China within 90 days from the date of issue or otherwise the visa will be expired. Basically, a 30-day stay from the date of entry is permitted for visitors who enter China by using L visa. Special approval is required if your estimated stay in China is more than 30 days. The Visa Center of the Embassy or Consulate-General offices which holds the consular jurisdiction over the state where you reside is responsible for the application of visa. You may either come in person to submit the application or to entrust someone such as a travel agent or a visa agent to submit the application on behalf of you.